Judge orders nephew from ‘Making a Murderer’ be released by end of week

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Judge orders nephew from ‘Making a Murderer’ be released by end of week

MADISON, Wis. — A federal judge has ordered that a man convicted in the case featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” must be released from prison by Friday evening.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin overturned Brendan Dassey’s conviction in August, saying investigators tricked Brendan Dassey into confessing he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape, kill and mutilate photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005. State attorneys have been arguing he should remain in prison while they pursue an appeal.

Duffin ordered him released Monday. The state Justice Department asked Duffin on Tuesday to stay his ruling, but Duffin issued an order Wednesday saying Dassey must go free by 8 p.m. Friday.

The state’s Justice Department planned to file an emergency motion with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago seeking to block Dassey’s release.